Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
May 1, 2024
Updated June 4, 2025
18 minute read
Software-Defined Networking (SDN): A Comprehensive Guide
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) represents a transformative approach to network architecture and management. At its core, SDN decouples the network's control plane (which decides where traffic goes) from its data plane (which forwards traffic according to those decisions). This separation allows network control to become directly programmable and the underlying infrastructure to be abstracted for applications and network services. Think of it as separating the "brain" of the network from its "limbs," enabling more intelligent, agile, and centrally managed network operations.
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Find a path to becoming a Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 24 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Software-Defined Networking (SDN).
Provides a comprehensive overview of SDN. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and use cases of SDN in a clear and concise way.
Provides a systems-level approach to SDN. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and use cases of SDN from a system design perspective.
Provides a broad overview of SDN, covering the key concepts, technologies, and architectures. It is suitable for readers who are new to SDN or who want to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
Provides a broad understanding of modern networking concepts, including SDN and NFV. It is suitable for beginners and covers practical deployment aspects, QoS/QoE, cloud networking, and IoT. It also offers insights into the impact of new networking on IT careers, making it valuable for students and professionals alike. It serves as a solid foundation before diving into more specialized SDN topics.
Bridges the gap between the theory and practice of SDN security. It explores adaptive and intelligent cyber defense mechanisms in SDN environments and provides a blueprint for designing secure software-defined infrastructures. It delves into contemporary security challenges and solutions in SDN, making it relevant for those interested in advanced topics and practical security implementations.
Considered a comprehensive guide to SDN, this book is excellent for gaining a broad understanding. It covers the historical context, the evolution of switch platforms, and practical aspects of SDN deployment. It's often recommended as an introductory text and is valuable for both technical and non-technical readers needing to understand the benefits and risks of adopting SDN.
A more recent publication, this book reviews SDN concepts and provides a detailed analysis of state-of-the-art distributed SDN controller platforms. It examines challenges and future trends in decentralized SDN, particularly in large-scale networks and IoT. is suitable for those seeking to deepen their understanding of advanced SDN topics and current research.
Explores new concepts for the next generation of the Internet, including virtualization, SDN, 5G, and security. It discusses how SDN fits into this broader picture and addresses topics like resource placement and network control in virtual environments. It's relevant for understanding contemporary network architectures and the role of SDN within them.
Offers an authoritative review of SDN and network programmability. It's a good resource for understanding the definitions, protocols (like OpenFlow), and standards emerging in the SDN space. It explores use cases and the evolution of SDN, making it suitable for those wanting to deepen their understanding beyond the basics. It provides a vendor-agnostic perspective.
Highlights the integration of SDN and NFV and how they revolutionize network management. It covers the fundamentals and evolution of both technologies and discusses their combined use to solve traditional networking problems. It also touches upon enhancing network security and integration with technologies like IoT and edge computing, making it relevant for contemporary topics.
Provides a practical introduction to NFV and its relationship with SDN. It's valuable for understanding how virtualization technologies underpin modern network architectures. It covers fundamental concepts, techniques, and use cases, including how SDN and NFV interact. This book is particularly relevant for those interested in the practical deployment and management of virtualized network functions.
Focused on network automation, this book is highly relevant to the practical implementation of SDN concepts. It teaches essential skills using tools like Python, Git, and Linux in the context of automating network tasks. is particularly useful for network engineers looking to develop the hands-on skills needed for SDN environments.
Focuses on the practical skills needed for modern network engineers, including automation and programmability, which are key aspects of SDN. While not exclusively about SDN architecture, it covers essential tools and technologies like Python, APIs, and DevOps practices relevant to managing SDN environments. It's highly practical for working professionals.
Provides a practical guide to implementing SDN and NFV solutions in service provider networks. It covers the key concepts, technologies, and use cases of SDN and NFV in this environment.
Teaches readers how to program and automate networks using SDN and other technologies. It is suitable for network engineers who want to learn more about SDN and how to use it to improve their networks.
Provides a perspective on the business case and technology motivations for SDN. It discusses the impact of SDN on traffic management and service growth, making it relevant for understanding the practical implications of SDN adoption. It covers virtualization, the network control plane, and implementation aspects, suitable for network managers and professionals.
For those looking to implement and manage SDN using code, this book practical guide to using Python for network automation and SDN. It assumes some basic networking and Python knowledge and is geared towards network engineers and programmers. It helps solidify understanding through hands-on application.
Focuses specifically on SDN with OpenFlow, providing a detailed look at this foundational protocol. It's valuable for those who want to understand the technical underpinnings of many early SDN implementations. It can be a useful reference for understanding how the control and data planes interact via OpenFlow.
Provides an overview of SDN with a focus on OpenFlow, a key protocol in early SDN implementations. It clarifies the concepts of SDN and its importance, covering use cases for both telco and enterprise environments. It's a good resource for understanding the basics of SDN and the role of OpenFlow.
While not solely focused on SDN, this classic networking textbook provides essential foundational knowledge. It covers networking concepts from the application layer down, and later editions include discussions on the separation of control and data planes, relevant to SDN. It's widely used in academic institutions and is excellent for solidifying a broad understanding of how networks function before specializing in SDN.
Provides a gentle introduction to SDN. It is suitable for readers who are new to SDN or who want to learn more about the topic in a non-technical way.
Offers a solid foundation in networking concepts, essential for understanding the context of SDN. While it may not focus on SDN specifically, it provides the necessary background in data communications and networking principles that are foundational to comprehending how SDN revolutionizes network architecture. It is often used as a textbook for introductory networking courses.
This practical guide for network administrators provides hands-on advice and examples for managing and troubleshooting networks. While not directly about SDN, the skills and knowledge gained from this book are highly relevant for network professionals who will be working with or transitioning to SDN environments. It's valuable for understanding real-world networking challenges.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/exnf4h/software
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